I don't agree with Iraq Veterans Against the War stance advocating immediate withdrawal, but I respect what they are doing.

Also thankfully, we will hear an Iraqi Veteran voice today from the actual floor of the convention. Both Tammy Duckworth and Patrick Murphy will address the crowd at the Pepsi Center:

Former Army Major Duckworth - who lost her legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq - will headline a tribute to veterans at the Democratic convention today.

"We need to do a better job taking care of our military," Duckworth said in summing up her speech recently.

.....
Giving Duckworth prime speaking time at the convention ...

I don't agree with Iraq Veterans Against the War stance advocating immediate withdrawal, but I respect what they are doing.

Also thankfully, we will hear an Iraqi Veteran voice today from the actual floor of the convention. Both Tammy Duckworth and Patrick Murphy will address the crowd at the Pepsi Center:

Former Army Major Duckworth - who lost her legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq - will headline a tribute to veterans at the Democratic convention today.

"We need to do a better job taking care of our military," Duckworth said in summing up her speech recently.

.....
Giving Duckworth prime speaking time at the convention fits into efforts to portray the Democratic Party as pro-military even though it is anti-Iraq war.

Duckworth opposes the Iraq war, but she said she doesn't expect that to be the focus of Wednesday's speech.

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania, also an Iraq veteran who opposes the war, will be speaking with Duckworth during the tribute.

Rage & IVAW (0.00 / 0)
Rage on the move to Pepsi Center

Rage Against the Machine has completed its set at the Denver Coliseum, and a march led by the band and Iraq war veterans is underway from the venue to the Pepsi Center.

Began the morning watch CNN interview Michele Obama at a park in (0.00 / 0)
Denver with a "Support the Troops" T-shirt on helping to fill care packages for the troops. She also said that Obama had asked delegates to find time to volunteer.

I watched gavel to gavel on C-span. It was constantly stated that the "Obama" pledge was to
withdraw responsibly from Iraq
ZERO Tolerance for having homeless Vets
fully funded VA
rebuilding the military
pay grades that really supported the troops
quality housing for troops/families
full support for families
that war would be the 'last resort' not the first response and would have a well-defined mission

Retired Army Intel 3star spoke in support of Obama...

Began the morning watch CNN interview Michele Obama at a park in (0.00 / 0)
Denver with a "Support the Troops" T-shirt on helping to fill care packages for the troops. She also said that Obama had asked delegates to find time to volunteer.

I watched gavel to gavel on C-span. It was constantly stated that the "Obama" pledge was to
withdraw responsibly from Iraq
ZERO Tolerance for having homeless Vets
fully funded VA
rebuilding the military
pay grades that really supported the troops
quality housing for troops/families
full support for families
that war would be the 'last resort' not the first response and would have a well-defined mission

Retired Army Intel 3star spoke in support of Obama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...

Retired Rear Adm Jag announced he changed parties to support Obama.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J...

CSM Michele Jones [ret] who was an advocate for reservists in DC spoke in support of Obama...very impressive.

Rep. Murphy had 25 'heroes' stand with him as he spoke. Tammy spoke well.

A vid of an Iowa Vet who said his nickname was 'CareBear' was shown in the yard of his modest home with his dog and even some tomato plants growing saying that he was proud to serve but didn't like being lied to.

Another Iowa Vet answered the Roll Call for IA, introduced himself and said he was standing in the boots that he wore while walking the streets of Baghdad. He said he was proud to cast IA's votes for Obama and Clinton.

Sen. Jack Reed spoke as did Sen. Kerry. Kerry sounded like the guy who testified before Congress during Vietnam and he introduced Obama's g'uncle who helped liberate a concentration camp.

Beau Biden introduced his dad

There were substansial attacks on Bush-McSame and how they have 'supported the troops'.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/

Thanks for all these links. Obama's position on veterans is very good, isn't it?

On the last day of the DNC there was a "Retired Generals Tribute," with Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret) Accompanied by additional generals

Gen. John Adams
Adm. Jamie Barnett
Gen. John G. Castellaw
Gen. Wesley Clark
Gen. Larry Gillespie
Adm. Kevin Green
Adm. Lee Gun
Adm. Don Guter
Gen. Marcelite Harris
Adm. John Hutson
Gen. Claudia Kennedy
Gen. Dave McGinnis
Gen. Tony McPeak
Gen Lloyd Newton
Gen. Frank Peterson
Adm. Joe Sestack
Gen. Jim Smith
Gen. Johnny Wilson
Gen. Ralph Wooten
Gen. Scott Gration

Video link for this tribute is at:
http://gallery1.demconvention.com/Default.html?Date=8/28/2008&TimeB...

Thanks for all these links. Obama's position on veterans is very good, isn't it?

On the last day of the DNC there was a "Retired Generals Tribute," with Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret) Accompanied by additional generals

Gen. John Adams
Adm. Jamie Barnett
Gen. John G. Castellaw
Gen. Wesley Clark
Gen. Larry Gillespie
Adm. Kevin Green
Adm. Lee Gun
Adm. Don Guter
Gen. Marcelite Harris
Adm. John Hutson
Gen. Claudia Kennedy
Gen. Dave McGinnis
Gen. Tony McPeak
Gen Lloyd Newton
Gen. Frank Peterson
Adm. Joe Sestack
Gen. Jim Smith
Gen. Johnny Wilson
Gen. Ralph Wooten
Gen. Scott Gration

Video link for this tribute is at:
http://gallery1.demconvention.com/Default.html?Date=8/28/2008&TimeBlockID=2&ProgramID=-72

I felt this was an extremely powerful anti-war statement and was distressed that it was covered up on all channels I turned to but stupid blather by the TV comments..talking about Republican complaints about the staging, etc.
_____________
Um...we disagree about the immediate withdrawal from Iraq. If an army is serious about disengagement or needs to retreat it becomes real simple and clear: You turn your feet around and begin to go in the opposite direction.

With superior American air power and reasonable rear-guard action this should be quite reasonable to do.

In another thread of yours I mentioned some of the speeches by Iraq war veterans at the protest rally at the RNC...

I'll add to that that one ex-soldier made it clear:
TROOPS OUT NOW...combat troops out now...mercenaries out now...private security contractors out now...trainers out now...embassay security army out now...no permanent bases...TROOPS OUT NOW.

A reason for this clarity, I'd suggest, is that America, our country, will be deceitful about what troops come out and when they come out.

All the vets at this rally also made a point that this is an OCCUPATION.

TROOPS OUT NOW. END THE OCCUPATION. NOT ONE MORE DIME FOR WAR...

...This type of clarity may be necessary.